Livable Communities

Hoosiers can help make their communities more livable for all residents by conducting walk audits that help evaluate how safe and easy (or not) it is for pedestrians to get around neighborhoods.

AARP North Carolina is pushing to end restrictions on accessory dwelling units in the state—educating policymakers, builders and the public about the benefits of ADUs for residents of all ages.

AARP Texas is working to help make communities safer for pedestrians of all ages with a new educational program.

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has affected communities across the country, hit older adults incredibly hard, and put a spotlight on a host of disparities. As Ohioans and people across the nation look to recovery from the pandemic, local leaders are making decisions about how to invest federal funding authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that passed Congress in March 2021 in response to the pandemic.

AARP’s mission is to empower people to choose how they live as they age, and an important part of choosing how we live as we age is being able to choose where we live as we age. Most older adults want to remain in their own home and community as they age, but financial barriers and limited service options can make this difficult. We were pleased that the Connecticut legislature passed a state budget and several pieces of legislation that will support older adults who wish to age in place.

AARP Iowa is working with local leaders and residents to improve pedestrian safety, walkability, bike access and outdoor recreation options.

According to the 2020 American Community Survey (conducted by the Census Bureau), North Carolina’s population grew by 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, 75 percent of which came from a rise in the number of residents age 50-plus.

Indiana’s network of trails is growing to accommodate increasing demand, with lawmakers allocating $150 million in recent budgets to the Next Level Trails program for ongoing improvements across the state.

Carroll joins nine Maryland jurisdictions committed to helping residents continue to thrive as they age.

New Index features include a “Small Towns” category and accessory dwelling unit development benchmark